Still no explanation about Mammoth Town Manager

At just after 7pm Monday night, Mammoth Mayor Matthew Lehman said that the Council had just walked out of their closed session focused on Town Manager Dave Wilbrecht. The Mayor said there was nothing new to report and that the Council would meet again on this subject in a closed session before the Wednesday night regular Town Council meeting.

Asked about the report that Town Manager Wilbrecht is currently on administrative leave, Mayor Lehman said he did not recall the exact date that the leave occurred. Asked what the status of the Town Manager is, the Mayor said he could not comment. He referred us to Town Attorney Andy Morris for what could legally be shared.

To speculation that the Council may be planning to appoint Assistant Town Manager Marianna Marysheva-Martinez to the top spot. Asked about that, Mayor Lehman said, “There are a lot of balls in the air. We’re looking at a lot of options, but until we decide what to do with the existing Town Manager, I can’t comment.”

The situation in Mammoth Town government deals with confidential personnel matters but a topic of intense public interest – who will run the daily affairs of government if Mr. Wilbrecht is out, and what happened to cause his placement on administrative leave? So far, Town Council members have said very little.

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About Benett Kessler

Always interested in writing, Benett was the editor of her high school paper, proceeded to the University of Chicago and then out West where she and John Heston formed Eastern Sierra News Service in Inyo County. They fed film to KNXT in Los Angeles and co-wrote and produced the first daily radio news in the Eastern Sierra. Their work ranged from a published news magazine to the first television newscast. They continued to provide videotaped news to KABC and other news outlets. After a seat on the Mammoth Times board and work as newswriter, Benett formed her own company, Sierra Broadcasters and launched an FM radio station, now KSRW and a broadcast television station, KSRW-TV33. The latest addition - Sierrawave.net. Her company motto: Comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.

9 Responses to Still no explanation about Mammoth Town Manager

The current counsel has no business being in the position to call the shots. Two of them have been integral parts of the airport/bankrupting the town fiasco – Dump them. Send the other guy back to his developer status. He hasn’t a clue how to manage a town and it shows. Same with the bagel guy. Bacon may be the only clear-headed one. Keep her. I smell more money being thrown down the drain due to incompetency and stupidity and Dave Wilbrecht remains at their beck and call.

This is political leadership at its worst. Mr. Wood, I thought you said “never again under your watch” upon being re-elected in June 2010 with respect to poor political leadership. Instead, you (and the rest of this Clown Council) have turned out to be frauds and an embarrassment to our Community. When you act with arrogance, spitefulness, and treat people/employees disrespectfully – you set the tone for how our community is governed.

It’s too early to tell “what to do with…….” I agree if it’s a simple … hey we need to reduce our staff. But if he’s actually done something wrong (I doubt he did based on his past) then you have to do what you have to do. For now, let’s not speculate on this… it’s unfair to Dave.

Oh, speaking of contracts: Dave was very clever negotiating his contact, and I’m sure he’s manipulating the system to get out of it. My father told me when I was a teenager to get a nice, cushy government job, and I should have listened. These people have it made…

I’d like to know what “clever negotiated contract” would exclude alloted vacation time in it, SkiJohn. There seems to me some rather intense public hubbub regarding Dave taking vacation time that may have resulted in “disciplinary action of an employee” (an agendized item discussion at a recent closed-door town counsel meeting.

He has a 2 year contract, I believe, with an incredible vacation allotment, salary and severance. The only ax I have to grind is with the council who signed such a ridiculous agreement. One can’t blame Dave for it. Sorry if I came across a bit harsh towards the guy. Bottom line is, we really don’t know what happened yet. Maybe Dave wants to leave on his own accord? Maybe he really did screw up? It just seems like one giant game played by all parties…